Dangote Refinery plans to start producing materials for detergent in Nigeria

Dangote Refinery has announced plans to begin local production of surfactants, a critical raw material used in making detergents and cleaning products.

Surfactants are widely used in household and industrial cleaning agents, including soaps, laundry detergents, and personal hygiene products.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, David Bird, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, disclosed that the company is in advanced discussions to establish a Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant, which is essential for manufacturing surfactants.

According to him, the initiative will help reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported raw materials, ease pressure on foreign exchange, lower production costs for manufacturers, and potentially reduce prices of detergent products for consumers.

Bird explained that the refinery is finalizing agreements with a technology provider to move the project forward.

“We have been in serious discussions with a licenser and are close to concluding commercial terms for the installation of a Linear Alkyl Benzene plant,” he said.

“This is the key component that creates foam in detergents. At Dangote, we focus on investments that are driven by population demand.”

He emphasized that essential products such as fuel, lubricants, and detergents should be affordable and locally produced rather than treated as luxury imports.

Bird also noted that Nigeria and the broader West African region represent a large market with growing demand for cleaning products.

“At the moment, all detergents used in West Africa are imported. By establishing this LAB plant, we are pursuing import substitution and supporting local manufacturing,” he added.

The development is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and encourage increased local production of detergents and related cleaning products.